No event has shaped international events of recent years more than the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Tragically, less than four years later, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. In less than five years, the United States has experienced its worst terrorist attack and worst natural disaster, both in terms of the number of lives lost and in the costs needed for reconstruction.

Both events have clearly indicated that there are tremendous threats to the security and well-being of Americans in their own country. Furthermore, these events have demonstrated the importance of criminal-justice agencies who are the first responders to threats to the United States. Since the threats of further terrorist attacks, natural disasters, epidemics, and cybercrime continue to lurk as potential dangers to the United States homeland, the American Criminal Justice System must be committed to mitigating, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from these tragic events. In addition, its commitment must be steadfast and ubiquitous. This highly topical book analyzes the nexus of homeland security to the discipline of criminal justice by addressing, in depth, issues and challenges facing criminal-justice students, practitioners, and faculty in the burgeoning field of homeland security.

This book was previously published as a special issue of Criminal Justice Studies.